Chapter 18

Lydia stopped at the entrance to the kitchen. "What's wrong?"

Dooley was pulling his hair. He pointed to his computer where Carleigh's face was on the screen. "Carleigh found something."

"Hey, Cuz. Did you get through all your hundred texts and voicemails?"

"Yes. I video chatted with my parents and Locke, then I spoke to Dakota and Bas. Dakota didn't like it when I told her I didn't always have cell coverage, so she's sending me a satellite phone. Anyway, what did you find?"

"Nikita, Harlow, and I were brainstorming. Nikita kept coming back to the Black Canary message. We've already established there were two characters with that name – mother and daughter. Add into that the baby bear's porridge being just right. If the daughter and baby bear are one and the same, which daughter? Delaney was adamant that Beck search for them both. If she's complicit in this mess, would she be losing her shit? Probably not. That leaves Chloe, and since she's the youngest daughter, her being the baby in this scenario makes sense."

"But what if the Canary is Amara? She's in the wild? That could be a reference to where they've taken her."

"True, but I did some deep diving into Chloe's cell and satellite phones. The cell didn't give us anything, but her satellite was where I struck pay dirt. She and Orson Murray spoke a few times."

"Why would Chloe talk to Beck's girlfriend's father?"

Carleigh cleared her throat. "Did you say Beck's girlfriend? What the hell, Cuz?"

Lydia strode to the fridge for something to drink, thankful someone had stocked it with beer. She pointed at one and raised her eyebrows at Dooley. He held up the energy drink he already had, so Lydia popped the top, tossed the cap into the garbage can, then sat down at the table. "Sorry, ex-girlfriend. They were dating when Amara was kicked out of BC. Heather wouldn't leave Canada with Beck, and he wouldn't stay. Also, Heather and Chloe went to high school together." She took a long pull off the beer.

"What if Heather's father found out what Boyd was planning, and he called Chloe to warn her?"

Dooley spoke up. "If that's the case, maybe that's what he was doing with the Empress. Instead of being missing, she's in hiding."

"And the Canary being in the wild could be code for she's gone to ground," Carleigh offered.

Lydia twirled the bottle on the table. "But why let her daughters believe she's missing? If that was my mom, she'd never go this long without getting word to us somehow."

"True, but maybe Amara has no way to get word out? Fuckin' hell. This makes my brain hurt."

It did the same to Lydia's, and she wasn't the one spending all her time at a computer. "It's late, C. Get some sleep."

"Eh, I'll sleep when I'm dead. This is more important."

"I'm serious. Brains function better when they're not frazzled. Ask me how I know."

"At least you had the mental fortitude to shoot flames at a grizzly."

Dooley gasped. "You did what?"

"On that note, I'm going to share a secret with Dooley. I think he's earned it."

"Maybe not the flamethrower, yeah?"

Lydia chuckled, but her heart wasn't in it. She wanted Beck. "Maybe. Talk to you soon."

Dooley tapped a few keys, and the video connection ended. " Lucy, you got some ‘ splainin to do."

Lydia pointed at Dooley with her beer. "You know who Lucy is but not Goldilocks?"

Dooley ran his hands through his shaggy hair. "I was raised by my father who had a thing for the 1950s and ‘60s. He still wears tie-dyed T-shirts, will argue with you that malts are better than milkshakes, and he listens to Elvis on repeat."

"There's nothing wrong with tie-dye and malts."

Dooley arched a dark brow. "And Elvis?"

"I'm more of a Cyanide Sweetness fan."

"Yeah, those cats can rock one out." Dooley gave devil horns and banged his head.

"You help me find Beck, and I'll introduce you to Desmond Rothchild."

"Excuse you? You know the fanged furioso?"

It had been a long time since Lydia had heard Desi's nickname. When he first started out with the band, he didn't know he was a half-blood Gargoyle, but he used his fangs as part of his stage show. Everyone assumed they were props. "He's one of my Clan."

Dooley slapped his hands on the table. "Get out!" His outburst brought Kennedy into the kitchen. She sidled up to her mate and wrapped her arm around his shoulder. He pointed at Lydia. "She knows Desmond Rothchild."

Kennedy's eyes lit up. "Really?"

"And she's going to introduce us, but first we must find Beckett. Not sure how we're going to manage that."

Lydia took a drink of beer, and her bracelets fell down her arm. She made sure Dooley was looking and held her right arm out, calling forth a dagger.

Kennedy squeaked, and Dooley said, "Goddess, that will never not freak me out. You said it was magic."

"It is." Lydia explained about Lilly turning her bracelet into a wand, then Luna taking it a step further. "You help me find him, and I'll take care of the rest." Lydia called forth a sword made of ice, and Dooley gasped, scrambling out of his chair.

"What the actual fuck? That's… How?... Goddess help us."

Lydia released the magic, and her bracelets were back. "Beck told me." She polished off her beer. "Now, I'm going to turn in. Even though I had a nap, I'm wiped. I'll see you in the morning."

"Goodnight, Lydia," Kennedy said as she turned to check on Dooley whose mouth was still open and his eyes wide. He didn't say anything as she walked away. Before she left the room, Lydia turned.

"Just so you know, Ricky Ricardo never spoke those words on I Love Lucy. It's a Mandela effect. Goodnight."

Lydia stopped off for her laptop before heading to her bedroom. She sat against the headboard with her computer on her lap. First, she opened the link Locke sent and checked out her parents' new house. It wasn't as large as the one they currently lived in, but it had plenty of room for Gio and any other kids they might have someday. Lydia then checked her emails, declining the new job requests since she had no idea how long it would be until she found Beck. She worked on her current projects, finishing all but one. That one she sent to Harlow because Lydia could barely hold her eyes open. Setting her laptop on the nightstand, she flipped off the lamp and slid down to her back.

Once she was under the covers, any calm she'd held onto faded. The longer she was away from Beck, the more agitated her Goyle became. It wasn't as though Lydia could run back out and search for her mate without knowing where to look. If she was right, he'd been hauled off on a snowmobile and was miles away from where the Sagan helicopter had landed.

Can you reach his Bear?

I've been trying. I feel him, but it's weak.

Lydia had been afraid of that. She'd tried several times to reach Beck through their bond. The faintest thread was there, but the more she tried grabbing onto it, the more it frayed. Fretting wouldn't find him, though, so she closed her eyes and went back through everything they'd learned thus far. It was all a jumbled mess.

"Lydia?"

"Beck? Oh, my gods, Beck! Are you okay? Do you know where you are?"

"I'm—" Beck grunted, then nothing.

Lydia searched the darkness, but even with her Gargoyle eyesight, she couldn't see anything. "Beck? Dammit, Beck!"

"You're too late," a female's voice taunted.

"Who's there?" Lydia called upon both swords, gripping the hilts tightly.

"Oh, how cute. She thinks those blades will stop a bear."

"It was impressive," a male voice added.

Lydia took a step back, doing her best to keep both voices in front of her. Her foot hit something, and another grunt sounded from below.

"Beck?"

"It's too late for him, I'm afraid. Now, what are we going to do about you?" the female asked from closer than she'd been seconds before. Lydia swung out, and the female laughed. "You can't hurt me," she whispered in Lydia's ear. Lydia swallowed hard. She'd asked for weapons that didn't kill innocents, but this female wasn't that. She was responsible for Beck being hurt. It's all about intention. Lydia cleared her mind and called forth sai made from ice. From one instant to the next, the metal swords shortened to icy daggers, and Lydia struck. Something wet coated her hand as the female gasped.

"What did you do?" the male yelled. The air changed, adding light to the room. A roar shook the ground as crystal blue eyes glowed in the dark. Eyes belonging to a huge beast. The animal pawed at the ground, and with a growl Lydia felt deep in her soul, the animal lunged.

"No!" Lydia gasped, sucking in air, and swinging her arms in front of her. "Beck!"

The door was flung open hard enough to hit the wall, and Dooley ran in with his claws out. A little white fox bounded in behind him and jumped on the bed with its teeth bared.

"Nightmare," she managed to choke out. "Sorry."

The fox – Kennedy – padded up the bed and curled up beside Lydia, setting her chin on Lydia's leg. Lydia ran her fingers through the soft fur and closed her eyes. Tears seeped out of the corners, rolling down her face. Kennedy whimpered, and Dooley stepped closer.

He sat on the edge of the bed and placed a hand on Lydia's shin. "Sawyer Beckett's a fighter, and now that he's found his mate? A fated one at that? Well, Beckett's not going to give up. Wherever he is, whatever has happened, he will battle with every ounce of power within his soul to see you again. I know this, because it's what I would do if I were in his shoes." He squeezed her leg before standing and leaving her alone with his mate. Kennedy didn't change back to her skin. She pressed closer to Lydia, offering silent support.

The next time Lydia woke, it wasn't in a panic. The spot next to her was empty, and when she pressed her hand against the quilt, it was still warm. Lydia smiled at the thought of her new friend staying with her during the night. She would have to find a way to make it up to Kennedy. Lydia stretched, then climbed out of bed. The shower was calling her name.

"Sawyer? Are you awake?"

Beck ignored his sister. His head was throbbing, and talking would only make it worse. Nothing they said to one another would help their situation.

"Dammit," she muttered. Soon after, a soft thump sounded in the dark as she once again took to her fur. He knew it wasn't fair to hate her for being able to shift, but fuck, his bones ached with the deep chill. Beck drifted in and out of consciousness. His mind played tricks on him, making him believe Lydia was there with him. If only.

No. He wouldn't want her to be imprisoned too. Some kind of mate he was. So pathetic he couldn't protect his female. He'd give anything to be able to converse with his Bear. It rumbled every so often, but Beck didn't know why. He could no longer sense what his other half tried to tell him.

Hot breath hit his face. What the fuck was Chloe doing? Beck didn't bother opening his eyes. He couldn't see her in the blackness. Her large body settled against his back when she lay down. If he had the strength, he would turn over and snuggle into the warmth of her fur. At least his back would be warm.

"My whole life has been a lie." Dooley sat with his head leaned back against Kennedy's stomach, who was stroking his hair with one hand and sipping coffee with the other.

"You ruined my mate." Kennedy winked at Lydia. "He spent hours going through old Lucy clips searching for that phrase."

"Not hours," the male whined, but he wouldn't meet Lydia's eyes.

"Sorry to burst your bubble." Lydia helped herself to coffee, and once she had it doctored the way she liked, she turned to sit across from Dooley, but the doorbell rang, halting her steps. "I'll get it." She set her mug on the table, and when she got to the front door, Lydia peeked out the curtain covering the sidelight. A delivery driver held a box as well as the signature device. Lydia twisted the locks and opened the door.

"Package for Lydia Stone."

"That's me." She signed her name and took the box, thanking the driver as he checked out her chest. She'd dressed in a tank top and layered one of Beck's button-ups over it. The edge of her tattoo was visible, but it wasn't something she wanted the stranger staring at. Lydia turned her back and closed the door, relocking it. She carried the package to the kitchen and placed it on the table. She elongated a claw and used it to slice through the packing tape. When she pulled back the flaps, she had to hold in the squeal at seeing the prosthetic. There was an envelope beneath the mask, so she opened it to find a pilot's license containing her information along with the voice transmitter to use with the mask. If Dooley thought her bracelets were scary, wait ‘til he got a look at her with the prosthetic on.

"What's all this?" Dooley asked.

"A pilot's license so I can fly the helo without getting in trouble. A couple of drones, and this…" She held up the prosthetic. "This is plan B." It took more than slipping it on over her head to get it perfect, but Lydia put it on anyway.

Dooley placed both hands on the table and leaned forward, studying her new face. After a beat, he sat back. "Your Clan is fucking scary. Or brilliant. But still fucking scary. Magic bracelets. Voodoo masks. What else are you going to bring to show and tell?"

Lydia pulled out the voice transmitter, but she didn't put it on. "This tiny device will change my voice to match Chloe's."

"Again, brilliant, but you said that's plan B. How would that even work? You're taller than Chloe."

"We've learned that most people don't pay close attention to the details unless they're intimately familiar with the one being impersonated. The trick is to find someone similar enough in size. Most often when these are worn, they're used as disguises or to hide our true age. My great-grandfather created them so he and his mate didn't have to move around as often."

"Fascinating. Are you saying you can become anyone in the world?"

"As long as we have a recent photo and a recording of their voice, yes."

"Will you adopt Kennedy and me? I want to be part of your Clan."

"Sure." Lydia removed the mask and replaced it in the box for safe keeping. Turning to Kennedy, she said, "Thank you for last night. I have nightmares because of something that happened recently, but the one last night was different. In it, I found Beck, but he wasn't alone. There was a man and woman who were taunting me. I couldn't see them, because it was mostly dark, but I… I killed the female, and the male turned into a bear, then lunged at me. That's when I woke up."

Dooley and Kennedy shared a look.

"What?"

Kennedy stepped behind Dooley and rested her arms on his shoulders. "Are you sure it was a dream?"